Feasibility of Remote Intensive Monitoring: A Novel Approach to Reduce Black Postpartum Maternal Cardiovascular Complications.

The study included only 19 monitored women, and the authors did not calculate significant differences between risk groups because the sample was small. It was a feasibility study without a control group, so it cannot show that remote monitoring reduced complications or deaths. Participants may have given favorable ratings because they knew they were being studied; the authors noted social desirability bias. Wearable patch adherence was incomplete, especially in the low-risk group, which completed 6 to 7 of 14 weekly recordings. One woman could not complete the patch portion after losing home internet access, showing a practical barrier. The wearable patch was investigational and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical care. Heart rate variability was measured only after birth, not before or during pregnancy, so changes could not be tracked over time. Pulse oximetry and photoplethysmography readings can be inaccurate with dark skin and painted nails, and some abnormal readings appeared unrelated to other vitals. High-risk and low-risk classifications did not separate heart rate variability profiles, so these groups may not predict cardiovascular risk in this sample.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research.

Do not conclude that remote monitoring reduces postpartum cardiovascular complications or mortality. The study tested feasibility in 19 women, had no control group and did not compare outcomes, so it cannot show that monitoring changed clinical events.